Banking For Your Life

Though everyone views their fat as an enemy, fat can actually be very helpful. In fact, fat aids your body in being healthy. However, even those unhealthy amounts of fat could be a friend to us in the near future.

Why could fat be potentially helpful to our health?

Our fat happens to contain an abundance of autologous stem cells. If you aren’t familiar with these unique cells, they have the ability to form “daughter cells” that can either become more stem cells or other cells that the daughter cells are subjected to. Meaning, if stem cells form daughter cells near brain cells those daughter cells can become brain cells too. This can occur with other types of cells too. This being the case, scientists are now studying stem cells to see if they have regenerative aspects. If this is so, stem cells could potentially be used to cure ailments such as kidney disease, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis among others.

Even further, though studies are still inconclusive, stem cells may have a hand in aiding fat transfers. Over the years liposuction techniques have evolved, allowing for more intact fat to be removed. The more intact fat, the more viable stem cells you have. Suddenly, the success rates of fat transfer procedures increased. Scientists believe that the success is due to the increase in stem cells in the fat.

What does this mean?

Considering the ability of stem cells, and the amount of stem cells residing in our fat, it makes sense to take advantage of these aspects. Unfortunately, stem cells age just like we do, meaning they become less viable as the years progress. Some diseases, such as diabetes, can even wipe a stem cell’s special ability out. Therefore, banking our fat after a liposuction procedure, such as the one performed at our California plastic surgery practice, isn’t such a bad idea.

As of right now, Dallas-based BioLife is the only known place to cryogenically preserve fat, however, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this trend spread. If and when it does, it would be a great option for anyone who undergoes liposuction. Why let the fat go to waste when it could potentially save our life sometime down the road? Bank it now and save your life later.

Dr. Vip Dev enjoys a distinguished surgical and academic career. He has authored or co-authored over 30 publications in General, Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, as well as aesthetic techniques. His busy office in Bakersfield, CA offers aesthetic & reconstructive plastic surgery as well as and skin rejuvenation.